With 2 star performances, Luis Robert Jr. validating Mets' spring optimism

Robert's three-run homer in the 11th inning gave the Mets a walk-off win over the Pirates on Saturday.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:48am

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NEW YORK — Not since Sidd Finch was singeing catchers' mitts behind strategically placed curtains had the Mets been this excited about action hidden on spring training's back fields. Luis Robert Jr., they insisted even before he appeared in a Grapefruit League game, was looking good — X-factor good, middle-of-the-order good, game-changing good. Two games into the regular season, Robert has validated that optimism, including a walk-off three-run homer in Saturday's 11th inning that lifted the Mets past the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2.

Why it matters

The additions of Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco have helped New York recreate the imposing top half of the order that carried it for stretches last season. Bringing in Robert raised the ceiling for the lineup: While below average in each of the last two seasons, he'd been one of the game's best offensive center fielders before that, provided he was on the field.

The details

On Thursday, it was Robert's 10-pitch walk against Paul Skenes that accelerated New York's five-run first and Skenes' early exit. Through two games, he has reached in half of his 10 plate appearances. Long a target for the Mets' front office, Robert became the final piece of their reshuffled offense when acquired from the Chicago White Sox for Luisangel Acuña in January.

  • On Thursday, it was Robert's 10-pitch walk against Paul Skenes that accelerated New York's five-run first and Skenes' early exit.
  • On Saturday, Robert drove a slider below the zone through the wind and into the seats in left field for a walk-off three-run homer in the 11th inning.

The players

Luis Robert Jr.

A center fielder acquired by the New York Mets from the Chicago White Sox in January, who has validated the team's spring optimism with two star performances to start the season.

David Peterson

A Mets pitcher who kept the Pirates off the board through 5 1/3 innings on Saturday.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets.

Paul Skenes

A pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who was chased early by the Mets on Thursday.

Hunter Barco

A pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who threw the slider that Robert hit for a walk-off home run on Saturday.

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What they’re saying

“That was unbelievable. I faced him a lot in spring and was getting tired of facing him. He's been dialed in since he got here.”

— David Peterson, Mets pitcher

“He's gifted. Even that last one there, the pitcher executed down and away. He goes and gets it, and with the conditions today, to be able to leave the yard, it shows you this guy's special.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager

“These two games have really been special.”

— Luis Robert Jr.

“The one thing that great players have is knowing how to select the proper pitches to swing at. For me to go back to the player I was and I know I'm capable of being, that's going to be a big part of my game.”

— Luis Robert Jr.

“They kept grinding until they broke through.”

— David Peterson, Mets pitcher

What’s next

The Mets will look to continue their strong start to the season as they face the Pirates again on Sunday.

The takeaway

The Mets' offseason acquisitions of Luis Robert Jr., Bo Bichette, and Jorge Polanco have given their lineup a major boost, as evidenced by Robert's heroics in the first two games of the season. If Robert can stay healthy and continue to refine his approach at the plate, the Mets' lineup could be one of the most dangerous in baseball.